Sly’s respect was large, says Tony Rebel

With the recent passing of Taxi label producer Lowell 'Sly' Dunbar, persons in the music industry have been sharing their favourite Sly story as they pay tribute to the drummer, who was one half of the prolific 'Riddim Twins' Sly and Robbie.

His musical partner, Robbie Shakespeare passed away in 2022. Singer, songwriter and Rebel Salute founder, Tony Rebel, was among the hundreds at Tuesday's nine night for Sly at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. He gave THE WEEKEND STAR an insight into their friendship and the total appreciation that the world has for Sly's creativity.

"Sly Dunbar is a man who call me 'Tony Tony' ... just like how yuh have New York, New York. And me and him live good. Apart from all his treasures that he plays on the stage and all the things that he produces, me and him have a good vibe personally," Rebel said.

"Mi deh a mi yard and mi see it (the notice) come in 'bout the nine night and I had to be here to pay respect to the legend. We need to pay respect to legends. We need to pay respect to these people when they are alive though ... but it's all good."

He recalled time spent with Sly and Robbie on tour, and the awakening he received about the greatness of the duo.

"Is like everywhere that we go, me deh pon the stage and a whole heap a people deh a the side. Dem a watch Sly. Mi seh to myself, 'No man!' So, when I want a lickle recognition mi haffi go a the side with Sly," the singer recalled with a hearty laugh.

"People come out to see Sly. And I am there ... and Half Pint is there ... and a whole heap of other artistes is there. But the people dem never want see we like how dem want see Sly."

For close to six decades, Sly was involved in making reggae music and took it to the highest level, playing bass on songs with Jamaican artistes and taking them international.

"Sly was this person who has done his work and all over the world, people rate and respect him. Dem respect him as a star. I call them Sly 'Drum-bar' and Robbie 'Bass-speare'. As instrumentalists, those brethren really bad. Dem did great. I don't think we can have another Sly or another Robbie," Rebel said.

The duo made classics for groups such as the Tamlins and the Mighty Diamonds, as well as singers including Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Grace Jones, Peter Tosh, Ini Kamoze, Dillinger, Half Pint, Sugar Minot, as well as the duo, Chaka Demus and Pliers.